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THE  ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/guidetoallencoun00bond_1 


* 


Peace  and  Plenty' 


GUIDE  TO 

ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE 


COMPILED  BY 

GEORGIANA  W.  (BOND 
ADA  C.  FENTON 


FORT  WAYNE,  INDIANA 


PUBLIC  LIBRARY  OF  FORT  WAYNE  AND  ALLEN  COUNTY 
FORT  WAYNE,  INDIANA 
1933 


Copyright,  1913,  by  G.  W.  Bond 


GEORGIANA  WRIGHT  BOND,  1855-1942 

Georgiana  Wright  Bond,  born  in  1855,  spent 
her  early  life  in  and  near  Madison,  Indiana. 

vii 


She  was  the  daughter  of  Captain  James  G. 
Wright,  owner  of  Ohio  River  packets,  and 
Georgiana  Chalfant  Wright,  a refined  and  edu- 
cated woman  of  Kentucky.  Georgiana  Bond 
attended  Miss  Nurse’s  School  for  Young  Ladies 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  here  she  chose  her  trousseau 
before  her  marriage  to  Charles  Ewing  Bond,  a 
banker  of  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana, 

Mrs.  Bond  was  a cultivated  woman.  A charter 
member  of  the  Woman’s  Reading  Club,  one  of 
Fort  Wayne’s  first  women’s  organizations,  she 
was  stimulated  by  the  interests  and  activities  of 
that  group  to  gather  and  preserve  for  jmsterity 
the  information  included  in  this  guidebook. 
Georgiana  Bond,  together  with  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Robert  S.  Robertson  of  this  city,  had  collaborated 
with  the  architect,  Brentwood  S.  Tolan,  in  choos- 
ing the  inscriptions  carved  in  the  stonework. 

Her  little  volume  is  an  illustrated  guide  to 
the  history,  architecture,  and  ornamentation  of 
the  Allen  County  Court  House;  historical  and 
allegorical  scenes  portrayed  in  the  building’s 
paintings  and  sculptures  are  interpreted  for  the 
reader.  Letters,  plans,  and  descriptive  sketches 
from  the  architects,  artists,  and  sculptors  fur- 
nished source  material  for  the  book.  Compilation 
of  references  and  writing  the  manuscript  oc- 
cupied the  author  for  several  years;  she  was 
fifty-eight  years  of  age  when  the  work  was  pub- 
lished in  1913.  The  author  was  assisted  by  her 
sister,  Mrs.  Ada  Wright  Fenton,  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

During  World  War  I,  Mrs.  Bond  was  in 
charge'  of  the  Red  Cross  Volunteer  Production 
Work;  her  duties  were  discharged  ably  and 
efficiently.  Living  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty- 
six,  her  keen  and  colorful  memories  of  early  life 
on  the  Ohio  River  were  a source  of  great  interest 
to  her  friends  and  family.  Many  recollections 
included  incidents  on  the  packet  boats  of  the 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  and  events  of  the 
Civil  War. 

viii 


PREFACE. 


The  original  issue  of  this  book  appeared 
forty  years  ago,  and  the  supply  of  copies  has 
long  since  been  exhausted.  The  merits  of  the 
author's  guidebook  together  with  the  perennial 
demand  of  the  public  seem  to  justify  republica- 
tion for  free  distribution  at  this  time.  The  heirs 
of  Georgiana  Wright  Bond  have  graciously  per- 
mitted reissue  of  the  work  on  a non-profit  basis. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

History  of  the  Court  House 1 

Placing  the  County  Seat 1 

First  Allen  County  Court  House 2 

Second  Allen  County  Court  House 4 

Third  Allen  County  Court  House 5 

Fourth  Allen  County  Court  House 7 

Exterior  10 

Facades  12 

Artesian  Well  13 

Interior  14 

First  Floor 1 6 

Tablets  16 

Second  Floor 18 

Third  Floor  18 

Law  Library  19 

Rotunda  19 

Inner  Balcony 24 

Superior  Court  Room 24 

Court  Room  No.  3 28 

Court  Room  No.  2 34 

Circuit  Court  Room 36 

Dome  and  Balcony 43 

Clocks  44 

Artesian  Well  44 

Tunnel  44 

County  Seal 44 

Conclusion  45 

Statistics  46 


xi 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


1.  Frontispiece. 

2.  Georgiana  Wright  Bond 

3.  Heading  to  Beginning. 

4.  Sketch  of  Court  House  Number  1. 

5.  Court  House  Number  3. 

6.  Court  House  Number  4. 

7.  Facades. 

8.  Lower  Corridor. 

9.  Floor  Plans. 

10.  Commissioners  Court  Room. 

11.  Rotunda. 

12.  Superior  Court  Room. 

13.  Panel — Literature. 

14.  Panel — Iron  Industry. 

15.  Panel — Music. 

16.  West  Wall  Court  Room  No.  3. 

17.  Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers. 

18.  Panel — Naming  County  Seat. 

19.  Panel — Finance. 

20.  Panel — Burial  of  Little  Turtle. 

21.  West  Pediment  Circuit  Court  Room. 

22.  Panel — Call  to  War. 


xiii 


he 

ALLEN  COUNTY 
COURT  HOUSE 


HE  Court  House  of  Allen  County,  Indi- 
ana, in  the  City  of  Fort  Wayne,  stands, 
in  its  noble  proportions  and  magnifi- 
cence of  detail,  a monument  to  the 
profound  genius  of  its  architect,  Brentwood 
S.  Tolan,  and  to  the  wisdom,  foresight  and 
judgment  of  the  people  of  Allen  County,  and 
its  Board  of  County  Commissioners.  It  can 
also  be  claimed  as  the  largest,  most  beautiful, 
costly,  safe,  and  most  splendid  structure  de- 
signed for  County  uses,  of  any  in  Indiana,  or 
indeed,  in  the  entire  West,  a work  of  combined 
arts  that  present  and  future  generations  must 
behold  with  just  pride  and  admiration. 

Before  entering  upon  a detailed  description 
of  this  splendid  building,  the  fourth  Allen 
County  Court  House  to  be  erected  on  this  site, 
a short  history  of  its  three  predecessors  may  be 
in  order. 


PLACING  OF  THE  COUNTY  SEAT. 

When,  in  the  evolution  of  a State,  a new 
County  was  to  be  formed,  and  its  boundaries 
permanently  defined,  it  was  customary  for  the 
larger  and  more  pretentious  towns  in  that  sec- 

1 


tion,  foreseeing  all  the  advantages  inevitably 
following  the  placing  of  a County  Seat,  to 
strive,  by  offering  substantial  inducements  to 
obtain  this  benefit.  When  therefore,  in  1823, 
a new  County  was  formed  in  Northern  Indiana, 
from  parts  of  Randolph  and  Delaware  Counties, 
and  called  “Allen,”  in  memory  of  the  heroic 
Colonel  John  Allen,  who  lost  his  life  in  the 
battle  of  Raisin  River,  January  22,  1813,  two 
astute  business  men,  John  McCorkle,  Esquire, 
of  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  John  T.  Barr  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  owning  property  in  the  rising  town 
of  Port  Wayne,  offered  to  give  the  piece  of 
ground  owned  by  them,  as  a site  for  the  County 
Court  House,  should  the  thriving  town  with  its 
population  of  300  be  selected  as  the  seat  of 
justice.  This  property,  in  1822,  had  been  plat- 
ted, and  called  “The  Public  Square.” 

This  proposition  having  been  accepted,  these 
two  public-spirited  men  added  to  their  gift  of 
land  $400.00  in  cash,  a rather  large  sum  for 
those  days,  and  thus  it  was  that  Port  Wayne 
became  the  County  Seat  of  Allen  County.  The 
“Public  Square,”  149  feet  wide,  by  314  feet 
long,  whicn  then,  as  now,  was  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Main  Street,  on  the  east  by  Court 
Street,  on  the  south  by  Berry  Street,  and  on 
the  west  by  Calhoun  Street,  was  recorded  in 
1833. 

During  the  next  seven  years,  however,  no 
public  building  being  provided,  County  busi- 
ness was  transacted  in  the  office  of  Alexander 
Ewing,  Esquire,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Barr 
and  Columbia  Streets,  or  in  that  of  William 
Sutt onfield,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  these 
streets. 

FIRST  ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 

In  1831,  Fort  Wayne  having  doubled  her 
2 


First  Allen  County  Court  House. 


population,  claiming  some  800  in  round  num- 
bers, the  County  Board,  consisting  of  Francis 
Alexander,  William  Casswell,  and  James  Hol- 
man, ordered  as  a preliminary  step,  the  brush 
and  stumps  removed  from  the  public  square, 
and  definite  measures  were  adopted  and  a con- 
tract let  for  the  erection*  of  the  first  Court 
House  of  Allen  County,  at  a cost  of  $3,321.75, 
4 4 John  S.  Archer,  Esquire,’ ’ according  to  the 
quaint  old  records,  “to  furnish  brick,  James 
Hudson  to  lay  them,  supplying  also  lime  and 
stone,  Messrs.  Hanna  and  Edsali,  all  lumber, 
timber,  nails,  glass,  etc.,  besides  the  necessary 
carpenter  work.” 

Public-spirited  citizens  subscribed  $149.00  in 
cash,  besides  material  and  labor  to  the  amount 
of  $499.00,  the  remainder  being  paid  from  the 
County  Treasury.  This  building  was  poorly 
constructed  and  was  destined  to  remain  unfin- 
ished. It  was,  however,  used  for  nine  years, 
and  Court  was  held  here  for  the  first  time  May 
7th,  1832.  There  are  no  pictures  extant  of  this 
first  Court  House,  but  it  is  described  by  those 
who  still  recall  it,  as  40  feet  square,  a two-story 
brick  edifice,  perfectly  plain,  with  its  roof 
rising  to  a small  cupola,  and  this  surmounted 
3 


by  a gilded  ball,  and  weather-vane.  It  proved 
to  be  entirely  inadequate  for  the  needs  of  the 
fast-growing  County  and  City,  Fort  Wayne  in 
1843  having  a population  of  1,500,  several 
structures  were  built  about  the  Court  House 
enclosure  to  supplement  its  capacity,  one  of 
brick,  a one-story  affair,  containing  one  Court- 
room and  two  offices  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
First  and  Berry  Streets,  and  on  the  northeast 
corner,  another,  for  the  use  of  the  County 
Treasurer  and  Auditor,  while  the  County  Clerk 
and  Recorder  had  offices,  respectively,  upon 
the  northwest  and  southwest  corners.  Here 
also  upon  the  southwest  corner  stood  the 
County  Jail,  destroyed  by  fire  in  1837  in  which 
a room  was  provided  in  its  second  story  for 
the  “detention  of  debtors.7 7 This  first  Court 
House  was  condemned  as  unfit  for  further  use 
in  1841,  and  the  County  Agent  was  authorized 
to  sell  it  to  the  highest  bidder.  Tradition 
declares  that  it  actually  fell  down,  the  gilded 
ball  and  weather-vane  becoming  the  property 
of  Mr.  Henry  Rudisill  and  was  long  preserved 
and  used  as  the  crowning  ornament  of  the 
chicken-coop  at  his  suburban  home  on  Spy 
Run. 

THE  SECOND  ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 

For  six  years  no  temple  of  justice  graced  the 
public  square  until  in  1843  the  Commissioners, 
Nelson  McLain,  F.  D.  Laselle,  and  Joseph  Hall, 
awarded  a contract  to  the  firm  of  Samuel 
Edsall  & Company  “for  the  building  of  a new 
Court  House  at  a cost  not  to  exceed  $15,000.” 
This,  completed  in  1847,  was  considered  in  its 
day,  an  imposing  affair,  and  was  dedicated  with 
a proper  show  of  appreciation.  It  was  of  brick, 
one  story  in  height  of  very  plain  exterior  and 
situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  square. 

4 


wuv 


Win  0.  BURF090  urn  'MD'ANAPQUS 


THIRD  ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 

In  1860,  the  City  now  numbering  10,300  in 
population,  and  the  County  growing  rapidly, 
sealed  proposals  were  asked  for  the  building  of 
a larger  Court  House  to  meet  the  increasing 
demand  of  public  business,  to  be  placed  in  the 
center  of  the  Public  Square  and  to  be  built, 
according  to  plans  and  specifications,  prepared 
by  Edwin  May,  Esquire,  of  Indianapolis.  To 
Samuel  Edsall  was  awarded  the  contract  at 
$63,613.00  and  the  third  Allen  County  Court 
House  was  completed  and  accepted  July  23, 
1862. 

This  was,  as  is  shown  by  the  engraving,  a 
square  brick  structure,  a combination  of  Doric 
and  Corinthian  architecture,  and  had  for  its 
exterior  ornamentation  life-size  figures  of  Gen- 
5 


erals  Wayne  and  Washington  in  full  Continen- 
tal uniforms,  in  niches  upon  the  northern  and 
western  facades,  respectively.  This  was  further 
graced  by  a central  cupola  with  four  clock 
dials,  facing  the  four  enclosing  streets.  The 
arrangement  of  the  interior,  while  severely 
plain,  was  sufficient  for  the  demands  of  the 
time,  the  only  attempt  at  mural  decoration 
being  two  figures  in  fresco  on  the  walls  of  the 
Court  Room  on  either  side  of  the  judge's  stand, 
Columbus  and  the  Goddess  of  Liberty. 

The  corner-stone,  a block  of  marble,  was  laid 
with  imposing  Masonic  ceremonies,  May  1st, 
1861,  and  was  inscribed: 

CORNER  STONE. 

May  1st,  1861,  A.  D.  5.  861. 

By  Sol  Bayless,  P.  G.  M. 

Marshall  Crow 

John  Shaffer  ^ County  Commissioners. 

Isaac  Hall  ) 

— Contractors. — 

S.  E.  Edsall  and  V.  M.  Kimball. 

Designed  by  Edwin  May,  Esquire. 

Superintendent — Samuel  McElfatriek. 

Builder — D.  L.  Silva. 

This  corner-stone  is  preserved  in  the  present 
Court  House.  The  total  cost  of  this  building 
was  about  $78,000,  including  architect's  and 
superintendent's  fees.  It  was  not  fire-proof 
and  consequently  was  an  unsafe  repository  for 
the  valuable  documents,  etc.,  that  had  been  by 
this  time  accumulated  in  its  store-room. 

Such,  in  brief,  was  the  history  of  Allen 
County's  first  three  Court  Houses.  Once  again, 
however,  public  business  demanded  increased 
facilities  for  its  proper  transaction,  and  better 
6 


protection  for  the  important  records  and  papers 
in  its  keeping. 

The  City  of  Fort  Wayne,  rich  in  historic 
interest,  in  enterprise  and  wealth,  situated  in 
the  fertile  and  consequently  rapidly  developing 
Allen  County,  having  attracted  and  held  many 
business  men  of  large  means,  with  a growing 
population  in  1895  of  about  40,000,  it  was  deter- 
mined, by  the  County  Commissioners,  Messrs. 
Sylvanus  Baker,  Matthew  Ferguson,  and  John 
H.  Stellhorn,  to  build  once  more  an  Allen 
County  Court  House,  and  this  time  not  alone 
for  present  needs,  but,  with  foresighted  wis- 
dom, for  generations  to  come.  They  agreed 
upon  a fire-proof  building  which  would  fittingly 
represent  in  design  and  construction  the  dig- 
nity of  the  City,  the  County  and  the  people,  and 
in  1895,  after  a critical  inspection  of  plans  sent 
in  by  many  well-known  architects,  of  highest 
standing,  those  submitted  by  a fellow-towns- 
man, Mr.  Brentwood  S.  Tolan,  were  chosen,  and 
in  1897  the  contract  was  let  to  James  M.  Stew- 
art & Company  of  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

THE  FOURTH  ALLEN  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE- 

The  present  stately  edifice,  its  own  commen- 
tary upon  the  taste  and  judgment  of  the  Board 
of  Commissioners,  was  accomplished  from  in- 
ception until  it  stood  a completed  achievement, 
without  a law-suit  or  serious  interference  of 
any  kind;  and  the  people  of  Allen  County  can 
look  with  pride,  just  and  great,  upon  this,  the 
gem  of  their  many  goodly  possessions,  noble  in 
exterior,  and  beautiful  throughout. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  with  impressive 
services  Xov.  17,  1897  ; addresses  by  Colonel  R.  S. 
Robertson  and  Honorable  Win.  P.  Breen,  fol- 
lowing prayer  by  Reverend  Samuel  Wagenhals, 
7 


of  the  English  Lutheran  Church.  An  address 
was  also  made  by  Governor  J.  A.  Mount,  who, 
with  his  staff,  graced  the  occasion,  the  music 
led  by  Professor  Guillem  Miles,  being  furnished 
by  a chorus  of  girls  from  the  Public  Schools. 

Imbedded  in  the  corner-stone,  which  is  set  in 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  building,  corner  of 
Court  and  Main  streets,  is  a copper  box  made 
by  John  H.  Welsh  & Son,  Port  Wayne,  contain- 
ing copies  of  daily  papers,  lists  of  County  offi- 
cials, statements  of  County  finances,  data  of 
County  business,  coins  of  different  denomina- 
tions and  memorials  of  various  kinds.  The 
stone  is  inscribed : 

ALLEX  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE. 

Erected  A.  I).  1897-1900. 

Thi^  stone  was  laid  by  Judge  John  Morris, 
Nov.  17th,  1897. 

8 


Commissioners  from  commencement  to  com- 
pletion : 

1896  - 97- 

Jasper  W.  Jones,  Prest. 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  Vice-Prest. 

John  Stellhorn,  Sec’y* 

1897  - 98— 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  Prest. 

Sylvanus  Baker,  Vice-Prest. 

Chas.  E.  Orff,  Sec’y* 

1898  - 1900— 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  Prest. 

Augustus  R.  Schnitker,  Vice-Prest. 

Chas.  E.  Orff,  Sec’y- 

Auditor  1896-97 — Clarence  W.  Edsall. 

Auditor  1897-98 — Louis  J.  Bobilya. 

Auditor  1898-1900 — Wm.  Meyer,  Jr. 

Brentwood  S.  Tolan,  Architect. 

Successor  to 

Thomas  J.  Tolan  & Son. 

Wm.  H.  Goshorn,  Superintendent. 

This  most  magnificent  temple  of  Justice,  cost- 
ing with  its  interior  furnishings  $817,553.19, 
was  dedicated  Wednesday,  September  24,  1902, 
in  the  presence  of  a large  gathering  of  people 
from  far  and  near. 

Following  the  invocation  by  the  Right  Rev- 
erend Herman  J.  Alerding,  Bishop  of  Fort 
Wayne,  the  Attorney  for  the  Board,  Honorable 
James  M.  Barrett,  in  an  eloquent  address  an- 
nounced the  completion  of  the  building,  its 
acceptance  being  acknowledged  by  the  Honor- 
able Chas.  McCulloch. 

Honorable  Wm.  Bourke  Cochran,  of  New 
9 


York,  was  the  special  orator  of  the  day,  Colonel 
R.  S.  Robertson  giving  the  historical  address, 
in  which  he  said,  “ Every  detail  of  use  or  orna- 
ment, every  decoration  inside  or  out,  excepting 
the  mural  paintings,  was  conceived,  modeled, 
cast  or  sculptured  and  carried  out  to  a finish 
within  the  limits  of  the  Court  House  Square- 
and  most  of  it  within  the  Court  House  walls.  ” 

The  Reverend  David  W.  Moffett,  D.  D.,  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  pro- 
nounced the  benediction.  Shober’s  and  the 
First  Regiment  P>ands,  furnished  the  music  and 
a special  “Dedication  March”  composed  for 
this  occasion  by  Mr.  Geo.  E.  Holmes,  then  of 
Fort  Wayne,  was  much  appreciated  and  ap- 
plauded. 

EXTERIOR. 

The  nobly  proportioned  building,  absolutely 
fire-proof,  is  of  blue  limestone,  from  the  cele- 
brated quarries  of  Bedford,  Indiana,  and  is  a 
combination  of  the  Renaissance,  Roman,  and 
Grecian,  in  architecture.  While  the  graceful 
columns  and  pilasters  of  the  first  and  second 
stories  proclaim  the  Ionic  in  sentiment  and 
style,  diversity  is  found  in  the  Corinthian 
type  upon  the  third  story. 

A very  beautiful  and  distinctive  feature  is 
presented  by  the  graceful  Ionic  columns  and 
capitals  set  twelve  feet  apart,  surrounding  the 
upper  part  of  the  building,  the  colonnade 
repeating,  in  smaller  size  columns,  about  the 
dome.  The  harmoniously  proportioned  dome 
contains  clock  dials  facing  the  four  corners  of 
the  compass,  and,  surmounting  the  whole  beau- 
tiful creation,  a revolving  copper  statue  of 
Liberty  holding  her  torch  of  enlightenment, 
heroic  in  size,  13  feet  8 inches  in  height  and 
costing  $1,000. 


10 


Calhoun  Street  Front — 1,  Agriculture  ; 2,  Transportation  ; 
3,  Commerce  ; 4,  Spirit  of  Civilization  ; 5,  Science  ; 6.  Inven- 
tion ; 7,  Industry  ; 8,  Ambition  ; 9,  Enterprise  ; 10,  Diligence  : 
11,  Knowledge  ; 12,  13,  Victory  ; 14,  Washington  ; 15,  Jurispru- 
dence ; 16,  Law  Study  ; 17,  Lafayette. 

Berry  Street  Front — 18,  The  People  ; 19,  Jury  ; 20,  Prose- 
cuting Law  ; 21,  Spirit  of  Law  ; 22,  Defending  Law  ; 23,  Client  ; 
24,  Supreme  Court  ; 25,  Incorruptibility  ; 26,  Fearlessness  ; 27, 
Learning ; 28,  Impartiality  ; 29,  30,  Fame  : 31,  Anthony  Wavne  ; 
32,  Detective  and  Preventive  Law  ; 33,  Mercy  ; 34,  John  Allen. 

Court  Street  Front — 35,  Music  and  Stage  Art ; 36,  Art  ; 
37,  Literature ; 38,  Spirit  of  Civilization  ; 39,  Theology : 40. 
Medicine  ; 41,  Law  ; 42,  Faith  ; 43,  Perseverance  ; 44,  Genius  : 
45,  Truth  ; 46,  47.  Peace. 

Main  Street  Front — 48,  Army  and  Navy  ; 49.  Congress  and 
Senate;  50,  Debating;  51.  Spirit  of  Government;  52,  Votinu 
Citizen:  53.  Wife  and  Child  of  Citizen  ; 54,  Supreme  Court  * 
o5.  Power  ; 56.  Progress  ; 57.  System  ; 58.  Wisdom  ; 59.  60.  Pros- 
perity ; 61,  Little  Turtle;  62.  War;  63,  Peace;  64,  Teeumseh 


CJBRARY 

JSIUVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS' 


The  sketch  of  the  exterior,  as  shown  here, 
will  give  a very  full  idea  of  it,  especially  inter- 
esting, as  it  was  made  by  the  author  Mr.  Dux 
himself,  and  gives  his  own  interpretation  of  the 
allegorical  designs.  He  says  in  a personal  letter 
to  the  writer,  “The  Calhoun  Street  or  main 
side  of  the  building  represents  civilization  and 
embraces  all  branches  of  it,  Law,  Government. 
&c.,  &c.,  &c.,  the  other  sides  represent  the  same, 
only  more  in  detail. 

FACADES. 

The  Calhoun  Street  or  west  side  is  further 
enriched  with  a set  of  ornamental  tablets, 
inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  twenty  town- 
ships of  Allen  County,  and  just  below  the 
cornice  in  the  center  is  the  carved  quotation: — 

“Forth  from  this  fair  life 
Measureless  things  are  wrought 
A thought-dawn  born 

Which  shall  not  cease  to  broaden  till  its  beam 
Makes  noon  of  knowledge 
For  a gathered  world.” 

Above  the  entrance  on  this  side  is  the  maxim: 
“Be  just  and  fear  not.” 

With  the  inscription  on  the  second  story 
above  the  entrance : 

“Jurisprudence  is  the  knowledge  of  things  di- 
vine and  human ; the  science  of  what  is  right 
and  what  is  wrong.” 

On  the  south,  or  Berry  Street  side,  are  the 
words  carved  above  the  door — 

“Law  favoreth  Charity.” 

The  second  story  bearing  the  inscription — 
“Justice — the  hope  of  all  who  suffer — 

The  dread  of  all  who  wrong” — 

12 


surmounting  which,  just  below  the  cornice, 
is  the  quotation : — 

“ Poise  the  cause  in  justice  scales — 

"Whose  beams  stand  sure, 

Whose  rightful  cause  prevails.’ ’ 

Above  the  large  art-glass  window  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  Court  Street  or  east  side  are  the 
familiar  lines  from  Tennyson’s  “Locksley 
Hall”— 

“ Doubt  not — through  the  ages 
One  increasing  purpose  runs; 

And  the  thoughts  of  men  are  widened 
With  the  process  of  the  suns.” — 
followed  just  above  the  door  with — 
i ‘ consent  makes  the  law.  ’ ’ 

The  upper  inscription  upon  the  north  of  Main 
Street  end  is  those  wonderfully  forceful  words 
from  Webster’s  famous  speech  in  reply  to 
Haynes  in  1830 : 

“The  people’s  Government;  made  for  the 
people ; 

Made  by  the  people  and  answerable  to  the 
people.” 

The  second  story  shows  Tennyson’s  beautiful 
lines : 

“Ring  out  the  thousand  wars  of  old” 

Ring  in  the  thousand  years  of  peace,” — 
and  just  above  the  entrance — 

“Law  hateth  wrong.” 

Above  the  cornice,  outlining  the  building  on 
the  Berry,  Main  and  Court  street  facades,  are 
numerous  panels  bearing  full  length  figures  of 
men  in  groups  of  three,  representing  the  many 
explorers,  pioneers,  warriors,  statesmen,  jurists, 
scientists  and  inventors,  etc.,  etc.,  who  for 
13 


especial  ability  in  the  many  different  fields  of 
effort,  have  deservedly  been  awarded  enduring 
places  in  the  annals  of  our  country’s  history. 

INTERIOR. 

Entering  on  each  of  the  four  sides  of  the 
building  through  triple  doors,  flanked  by  mas- 
sive granite  columns,  we  find  handsome  mosaic 
floors  of  encaustic  tiles  in  vestibules,  lobbies, 
rotunda,  and  Commissioners’  Court  Room,  the 
other  floors  being  of  cement  or  hard  wood  laid 
on  cement. 


The  lower  corridor  is  open  from  end  to  end 
and  from  side  to  side,  through  the  center  of 
the  building,  the  large  pillars  of  Scagliola  sup- 
porting the  center  and  surrounding  the  well  of 
the  dome  or  rotunda,  while  beautiful  Italian 
marble  stairways  lead  from  the  entrances  on 
14 


B.S,TOLAM,  architect. 


the  first  or  basement  floors  to  the  two  success- 
ive floors  above,  a separate  stairway  leading 
from  the  Calhoun  Street  door  to  the  third  or 
Judiciary  floor,  provided  for  the  use  of  judges, 
jury,  officers,  etc.,  insuring  greater  dispatch 
and  privacy  in  reaching  the  Court  Rooms, 
which  are  on  this  floor.  Throughout  the  build- 
ing Italian  marble  walls  rise  to  the  ornamental 
plaster  cornices.  Large  columns  are  used 
throughout  the  halls,  on  the  lower  floor,  of 
Verde  Antique  Scagliola,  and  those  surround- 
ing the  well  of  the  dome  are  of  a beautiful 
cream  pink,  reminding  one  of  Mexican  Onyx. 
The  Scagliola  used  throughout  has  been  pro- 
nounced by  artist  experts  to  be  of  unsurpassed 
excellence. 

FIRST  FLOOR. 

Offices  for  Township  Trustees,  Sheriff,  Sur- 
veyor, Assessor,  Coroner,  Health  Officers,  Su- 
perintendent of  Public  Schools,  Engineer,  Jan- 
itor, etc.,  are  on  the  ground  floor,  as  well  as  a 
large  Assembly  Room,  for  the  public  meetings 
of  citizens.  Here,  also,  are  found  passenger 
elevators  and  an  attractive  Rest  Room  for 
women,  equipped  with  easy  chairs,  desks, 
couches  and  lavatory.  The  general  disposition 
of  these  apartments,  can  best  be  seen  by  a 
glance  at  the  floor  plan  given  on  preceding 
page,  kindly  supplied  by  Mr.  Tolan,  the  archi- 
techt  of  this  building. 

TABLETS. 

Embedded  in  the  wall  on  the  first  floor,  front- 
ing the  north  elevator  shaft  is  the  old  corner- 
stone, taken  from  the  immediate  predecessor 
of  this  Court  House,  and  on  ascending  the 
east  stairway,  we  find  placed  just  beneath  the 
large  window,  a bronze  tablet,  inscribed — 

16 


“MEMORIAL  TABLET.” 


“Building  ordered  September  4th,  1895.  Com- 
pleted October  3rd,  1900. 

Commissioners  1896  - 97 — 

Jasper  W.  Jones,  President. 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  Vice-President. 

John  H.  Stellhorn,  Secretary. 

Commissioners,  1897  - 98 — 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  President. 

Sylvanus  F.  Baker,  Vice-President. 

Charles  E.  Orff,  Secretary. 

Commissioners  1898  - 1900 — 

Matthew  A.  Ferguson,  President. 

Augustus  R.  Schnitker,  Vice-President. 

Charles  E.  Orff,  Secretary. 

Auditor  1896-97 — Clarence  W.  Edsall. 

Auditor  1897-98 — Louis  J.  Bobilya. 

Auditor  1898-1900 — William  Meyer,  Jr. 

ARCHITECT— 

Brentwood  S.  Tolan,  Successor  to  Thomas  J. 

Tolan  & Son. 

Inspector — Henry  W.  Jensen. 

Superintendent — William  H.  Goshorn. 

Contractor — James  Stewart  & Co.” 

Above  this  tablet,  enclosing  the  arch  of  the 
large  art-glass  window,  are  two  beautiful  sculp- 
tured figures  symbolizing  ‘ ‘ The  County  and  the 
City.”  On  the  left,  a female  figure,  holding  a 
stalk  of  corn,  represents  the  products  of  the 
rural  districts,  while  on  the  right  her  sister 
figure,  holding  a distaff,  typifies  the  industry  of 
the  city. 

This  dignified  and  graceful  allegorical  piece, 
shown  as  heading  to  first  page,  representing 

17 


the  bond  between  the  county  and  city,  was 
conceived  and  executed  by  Mr.  Win.  Barth,  of 
the  firm  of  Barth  & Staak,  and  presented  by 
him  to  the  Court  House. 


Commissioners  Court  Room. 


SECOND  FLOOR. 

Upon  the  second  floor  are  to  lie  found  the 
offices  of  County  officials.  Auditor's  Office 
and  Record  Rooms,  Treasurer’s  Office.  Clerk's 
Office  and  Record  Room,  with  the  County 
Commissioners  Court  Room  in  the  center  of 
the  west  side,  all  spacious  in  size  and  hand- 
somely appointed  and  for  convenience  of 
arrangement  unsurpassed. 

THIRD  FLOOR. 

Upon  the  third,  or  Judiciary  Floor,  are  situ- 
ated four  Court  Rooms  with  Jury  Rooms,  Wit- 
ness and  Private  Consulting  Rooms.  These  are 

18 


connected  by  separate  corridors  insuring  ease 
of  communication,  and  greater  privacy.  The 
Jury  Rooms  adjoin  the  Court  Rooms,  or  are  on 
the  mezzanine  floor  above  them. 

LAW  LIBRARY. 

The  well-equipped  law  library  is  placed  on 
the  third  floor  directly  in  the  center  of  the  west 
side. 

There  are  about  2,000  volumes  on  the  library 
shelves,  many  of  which  are  very  rare  and  of 
great  value.  Just  at  the  present  time  the  Allen 
County  Law  Library  Association  is  planning 
the  expenditure  of  one  thousand  dollars  for 
additional  books  which  will  greatly  increase 
the  resources  of  the  library. 


ROTUNDA. 

The  open  rotunda  extending  from  first  floor 
to  the  lovely  arch  of  the  dome,  flanked  by  im- 

19 


pressive  stairways  and  encircled  by  massive 
pillars  and  fine  ballustrades,  is  the  center  of 
the  whole  masterful  conception.  Outside,  from 
whatever  direction  one  approaches,  the  nobly 
proportioned  dome,  which  is  its  outer  shell,  is 
the  first  thing  to  catch  the  eye,  and  the  torch 
in  “ Liberty’s”  hand  indicates  to  the  passerby 
the  apex  of  the  achievement.  Within,  very  fit- 
tingly, richer  materials  and  more  elaborate 
decorations  have  been  used  than  in  other  parts 
of  the  interior,  sculpture,  paintings,  marbles, 
and  a broad  scheme  of  color  and  ornamentation 
in  stucco  relief  unite  with  the  lofty  architec- 
tural design  to  form  a most  notable  interior. 

The  floor  of  the  rotunda  is  square  with  a 
central  well,  circular  on  the  office  floor,  octa- 
gonal on  the  Judiciary  Floor,  each  surrounded 
with  ballustrade  of  pure  Italian  marble,  the 
floors  of  encaustic  tiles  laid  in  rich  mosaic  de- 
sign. 

The  four  sides  are  arched  by  graceful  pend- 
entives  to  meet  the  dome  and  enclose  great 
semicircular  windows  filled  with  stained  glass 
which  together  with  the  stained  glass  in  the  top 
of  the  dome  supply  the  greater  part  of  the  light 
needed  for  illuminating  the  rotunda.  In  the 
evening  the  light  is  furnished  entirely  by  elec- 
tricity. 

Encircling  the  four  arched  windows  are  ex- 
quisite mural  paintings  from  the  studio  of  Mr. 
Charles  Holloway,  of  Clinton,  Iowa,  by  whom 
they  were  designed  and  executed. 

The  following  is  Mr.  Holloway’s  own  descrip- 
tion of  the  paintings : 

“The  sketch  on  the  north  arch  sym- 
bolizes a community  that  is  governed  by  just 
laws  tempered  with  mercy.  Under  such  condi- 
tions the  people  are  content  and  prosperous 
and  commerce  and  the  manufacturers,  arts  and 
20 


science  flourish.  Tn  the  center  of  the  arch  is 
the  figure  of  the  Law  with  open  book  of  the 
code  in  her  lap,  and  holding  in  either  hand  the 
tablets  of  the  God-given  law.  To  the  right  of 
the  Law  is  the  figure  symbolizing  Justice,  hold*- 
ing  the  flaming  sword  and  scales,  and  on  the 
left  is  the  figure  of  Mercy  placing  a restraining 
hand  upon  the  lap  of  the  Law.  On  one  side  of 
the  arch,  are  symbolized,  by  appropriate  fig- 
ures, the  Industries.  Agriculture  is  typified  by 
the  husbandman,  holding  in  his  hand  the  sythe, 
and  with  a sheaf  of  grain  by  his  side,  while 
Commerce  is  pointing  out  to  him  a market  for 
his  produce  in  lands  across  the  sea. 

Below  are  the  figures  bringing  the  products 
of  the  soil  to  the  wharf.  In  front,  is  the  figure 
with  a distaff,  symbolic  of  the  industry  of 
Weaving,  and  in  the  foreground  is  the  black- 
smith standing  beside  an  anvil,  with  a sledge- 
hammer in  his  hand,  and  by  his  side  a machin- 
ist is  testing  with  a hammer  a cog-wheel  for 
flaws.  The  group  symbolizes  Manufactures  in 
general. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  arch,  in  the  fore- 
ground, are  shown  the  sister  arts  of  Painting, 
Sculpture  and  Architecture.  The  architect 
with  his  plan  across  his  knee  and  dividers  in 
his  hand,  is  discussing  with  the  Painter  and 
Sculptor  the  decorations  of  his  building. 

To  the  side  of  them  a figure  reading  a book 
symbolizes  Literature,  and  next  to  her  Poetry 
with  inspired  air  is  reciting  her  verses.  To 
the  right  of  the  group  of  Literature,  Music  is 
represented  by  two  figures,  one  playing  on  the 
pipes  and  the  other  on  the  lyre. 

The  whole  subject  is  treated  classically,  and 
in  the  abstract. 

The  subject  of  the  east  panel  is  Peace  and 
Prosperity. 


21 


In  the  center  of  the  arch  is  the  white  robed, 
flower-crowned  figure  of  Peace  in  a golden 
chariot,  garlanded  with  flowers,  and  twined 
with  fruit  and  olive  brandies,  drawn  over  the 
rose  tinted  clouds  with  white  horses  festooned 
with  flowers  and  leaves.  Floating  alongside  the 
chariot  of  Peace  are  her  handmaidens,  all  robed 
in  white,  scattering  flowers  over  the  sunlit 
earth.  Below,  to  the  right  in  the  flower-decked 
valley  among  the  green  trees  youths  and  maid- 
ens are  dancing  to  the  music  of  the  shepherd’s 
pipe.  Beyond  in  the  sunlight  the  flocks  are  graz- 
ing, in  the  background  runs  a train  of  purple 
hills.  On  the  left  side  of  the  arch  winding 
down  the  sunlit  slope  through  the  trees  to  the 
cool  shade  of  the  foreground,  is  Ceres,  the  God- 
dess of  Earth’s  Fruitfulness.  At  the  head  of 
the  procession,  two  youths  are  leading  with  fes- 
toons of  flowers  a white  bull  garlanded  with 
green  leaves.  On  either  side  are  maidens  play- 
ing on  musical  instruments.  All  is  joy  and  hap- 
piness, peace  and  plenty.  (See  frontispiece) 

The  subject  of  the  South  panel  is  Despotism 
and  Anarchy. 

Despotism  in  which  the  whim  of  an  individ- 
ual is  the  supreme  law,  where  the  knout  and 
axe  are  wielded  without  the  thought  of  justice, 
and  discontent  and  anarchy  are  rampant.  In 
the  center  of  the  arch  under  an  architectural 
canopy  lies  reclining  on  a gilded  couch,  the 
Despot,  a sensual  animal  type,  a Nero,  sur- 
rounded by  his  henchmen  and  guard ; a woman 
on  bended  knee  pleading  for  justice,  for  her 
daughter’s  honor,  for  her  own  honor,  in  vain. 
A soldier  lays  his  hand  roughly  on  her  shoulder 
and  drags  her  away  to  be  lashed.  Below  to  the 
right  of  the  center,  prisoners  in  chains  are  be- 
22 


in g dragged  to  the  dungeon  or  knout,  old  men 
and  youths  and  fair  maidens.  The  executioner 
applies  the  lash  to  the  brawny  shoulders  of  a 
strong  man,  who  lies  in  agony.  The  people 
crowd  around,  awe-struck  and  horrified,  some 
with  stolid  faces  biding  their  time,  others  more 
reckless  and  with  threatening  look  and  ges- 
tures. On  the  left  side  a wild  crowd  of  the  peo- 
ple is  clamoring  for  justice,  in  the  background 
others  are  beginning  to  apply  the  torch,  the 
people  are  in  arms,  the  revolt  is  on,  and  an- 
archy follows  in  its  path. 

Following  in  the  train  of  lawlessness,  War  is 
shown  upon  the  west  panel.  As  peace  and 
prosperity  are  the  natural  outcome  of  law  and 
order,  so  is  war  and  devastation  the  inevitable 
result  of  despotism  and  anarchy.  In  the  center 
of  the  arch  is  the  genius  of  War  in  an  armored 
chariot  drawn  by  wild  horses  and  fiends,  with 
serpent-entwined  hair  and  pendulous  breasts. 
In  the  background  riding  with  the  dark  green 
clouds  across  the  lurid  sky  lighted  up  with 
the  flame  of  the  burning  city,  are  Death,  Pesti- 
lence and  Devastation,  typified  by  appropriate 
figures  below.  Coming  from  either  side,  the 
two  armies  are  clashing  together — the  people 
are  gaining,  the  forces  of  Heaven  lend  their  aid 
and  shadowy  figures  from  the  dark  clouds  are 
twirling  thunderbolts  which  compel  the  enemy 
to  fall  back,  and  be  trampled  under  the  feet  of 
the  horses  of  those  following — the  people  rush 
in  with  redoubled  force — victory  will  be  theirs. 
Old  men  and  women  are  wailing  over  the  dead 
bodies  of  loved  ones.  A mother  clasps  her  son  to 
her  breast  while  with  the  other  hand  she  buckles 
on  his  sword,  a husband  embraces  his  wife  and 
child  while  moving  on  to  battle.  The  dead  and 
wounded,  and  frightened  groups  of  women  and 
children  fill  the  foreground.  ” 

23 


INNER  BALCONY. 

The  inner  balcony  is  just  above  the  dome  pic- 
tures and  just  below  the  stained -glass  cap  of 
the  dome.  The  view  down  the  well  of  the 
rotunda  from  here  on  a clear  day  is  entrancing- 
ly  beautiful. 


SUPERIOR  COURT  ROOM- 
Beginning  a survey  of  the  rooms  on  the  Ju- 
diciary Floor,  we  find  the  Superior  Court  occu- 
pying the  extreme  south  end.  It  is  considered 
by  many  to  be  the  most  beautiful  of  the  four 
Court  Rooms  in  its  color  scheme  and  appoint- 
ments. The  walls  of  a rich  Massachusetts 
Scagliola  are  panelled  in  a darker  tone,  relieved 
with  lighter  Alps  green  borders.  On  the  west 
side  is  the  Judge’s  stand,  back  of  which  is  his 
private  room.  All  the  furnishings  are  of  rich 
mahogany.  Below  the  ornamental  cornice,  the 
walls  are  encircled  with  a frieze  of  bronze 
24 


sculptured  panels,  the  consistent  subject  of 
which  is  Government  in  its  different  depart- 
ments, as  Fine  Arts,  Liberal  Arts,  Industries, 
Science.  These  masterpieces  are  the  work  of 
Messrs  Barth  & Staak,  of  Fort  Wayne,  and 
must  be  critically  examined  to  appreciate  the 
art  and  delicate  beauty  of  their  conception. 

We  are  fortunate  in  having  the  authors’  own 
description  of  these  artistic  creations  of  their 
genius.  Along  the  west  wall  beginning  at  the 
left  hand  corner  we  find  five  panels  represent- 
ing as  a whole  the  “Government  of  the  United. 
States.”  These  show  in: — 

No.  1.  United  States  Treasury — Represent- 
ed by  a male  figure  in  center,  on  left  the  coin- 
ing of  money,  with  the  United  States  Mint  in 
the  background;  on  the  right,  the  printing  of 
bank-notes  with  the  TJnited  States  Treasury 
Building  in  the  background. 

No.  2.  Education — A female  figure  in  cen- 
ter. Left,  mental  education  shown  by  youth 
studying — Owl  and  Sphinx,  emblems  of  wisdom 
and  the  unknown.  Upon  the  right,  physical 
education  exemplified  by  disc  throwers. 

No.  3.  Laws — A male  figure  in  center  hold- 
ing the  written  Constitution.  Left,  a group  of 
warriors,  woman  and  child,  signifies  protection 
for  the  weak  and  helpless.  Right,  man  casting 
ballot.  Capitol  at  Washington  shown  in  back- 
ground. 

No.  4.  Judiciary — In  center  a female  figure 
as  the  Law  decides  between  the  guilty  culprit 
on  the  right,  and  the  accused  innocent  on  the 
left. 

No.  5.  Agriculture — A female  figure  in  the 
center  represents  the  fruitful  earth ; dairy  and 
cattle  raising  on  the  left  and  on  the  right,  man 
and  horse,  tillers  of  the  soil. 

25 


Upon  the  north  wall  from  left  to  right  are 
five  panels  representing  the  Sciences. 

No.  1.  Natural  History — A female  figure 
with  thoughtful  brow,  seated  between  Flora 
and  Fauna. 

No.  2.  Geology  and  Chemistry — Male  figure 
in  center  holds  the  crystal.  Left  group  signi- 
fies Chemistry,  right  group  compounding  drugs. 

No.  3.  Medicine — ^Esculapius,  the  Father 
of  Medical  instructors  in  center,  teaching.  On 
the  left,  Surgery  is  represented,  dissection  of 
body;  right,  Medication. 

No.  4.  Astronomy — Hipparchus, “Father  of 
Astronomy, 9 ’ in  center,  with  students  on  right 
and  left  studying  the  Heavens  with  refractor. 


No.  5.  Literature,  accompanied  by  Cupid 
as  Poetry  on  left  and  the  Drama  on  right.  Con- 
gressional Library  in  background. 

On  the  east  wall,  opposite  the  Judge’s  stand, 
are  five  panels,  which  from  left  to  right,  repre- 
sent the  industrial  and  Liberal  Arts. 

No.  1.  Carpentry. 


26 


No.  2.  Masonry — The  triumphal  Arch  of 
Constantine,  and  the  Egyptian  pyramids  in  the 
background  represent  the  results  of  enduring 
masonry. 

No.  3.  A cartouche  holding  clock  for  the 
room,  with  figures  representing  America,  past 
and  present.  An  Indian,  on  the  left,  with  crude 
weapons  and  dress  stands  for  the  past — on  the 
right  a mechanic  holding  a telephone,  with  loco- 
motive in  foreground,  speaks  of  progress  in  the 
present. 


No.  4.  Iron  Industries — At  left  foundry 
work  is  illustrated ; at  right,  machinery  and 
structural  iron  work,  most  perfect  example  of 
which  is  shown  in  the  Ferris  wheel  in  back- 
ground. 

No.  5.  Decorative  Art  Industries — At  left 
an  artisan  at  work  on  scroll;  at  right,  chasing 
and  embellishing  a helmet. 

Along  the  south  wall,  from  left  to  right,  are 
five  panels  illustrating  the  Fine  Arts. 

27 


No.  1.  Architecture — Represented  by  a no- 
ble female  figure  in  center.  Left  and  right 
students  at  work  and  submitting  sketches.  A 
cherub  as  Genius  points  to  the  Parthenon  in 
background. 

Xo.  2.  Sculpture — A female  figure  in  cen- 
ter represents  this  most  noble  of  arts.  A genius 
holds  a crown  ready  for  the  successful  artist. 

Xo.  3.  Female  figure  as  Painting,  sister  art 
to  Sculpture,  with  brush  and  palette ; Students 
at  work  right  and  left. 


Xo.  4.  Music — Female  figure  seated  at  or- 
gan, typifying  Sacred  Music.  Left,  Dramatic 
Music;  right,  Song  or  Vocal  Music. 

Xo.  5.  Dramatic  Art — Tragedy  in  center 
with  book  and  dagger;  Youths  as  actors  around 
her;  Bust  of  Shakespeare  at  left. 

The  panel  “Music”  very  justly  admired,  was 
executed  by  a friend  of  Mr.  Barth,  Mr.  Richard 
Zeitner,  of  Cincinnati,  a very  able  sculptor  and 
the  panel  “Dramatic  Art”  was  also  executed 
by  a visiting  sculptor,  Mr.  William  Ehrman. 

COURT  ROOM  NO-  3. 

Xorth  of  the  Superior  Court  Room,  and  sep- 
28 


arated  from  it  by  a narrow  corridor,  is  the  ex- 
tra Court  Room,  known  as  Number  Three.  The 
walls  of  Belgium  Black  and  Gold  Seagliola  are 
finished  above  the  ornamental  cornice  with 
mural  paintings  by  Mr.  Florian  Piexotto,  of 
New  York,  and  Cincinnati,  and  Mr.  Charles 
Holloway,  who  also  created  the  exquisite  paint- 
ings in  the  dome.  Important  episodes  in  the 
early  history  of  this  section  of  the  country, 
part  of  the  great  4 4 Northwest  Territory’'  as 
it  was  then  styled,  are  depicted.  The  paintings 
upon  the  south  wall  by  Mr.  Florian  Piexotto 
reproduces  “the  Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers," 
with  “Mad”  Anthony  Wayne  and  his  brave 
soldiers  putting  to  rout  the  Indians  and  Cana- 
dians. led  by  the  Chippewa  Chief  Masass,  or 
Turkeyfoot,  the  gallant  Wayne  having  at  his 
command  only  800  men  as  opposed  to  a horde 
estimated  at  2,000.  This  decisive  battle  took 
place  in  August  1794  near  Ft.  Miami,  which  is 
now  the  town  of  Maumee,  Ohio,  and  effectually 
29 


destroyed  the  confederacy  of  Indian  tribes. 
This  battle  took  place  in  a wood  in  which  were 
many  trees  felled  by  a recent  hurricane,  and 
among  them  the  Indians  were  ambushed.  A 
boulder  from  whose  summit  Masass  endeavored 
to  rally  his  fleeing  followers,  still  marks  the 
spot.  Jt  weighs  about  6800  lbs.,  and  has  rudely 
carved  upon  it  a turkey-foot,  and  other  Indian 
characters.  After  this  battle  General  Wayne 
and  his  small  army  resumed  their  march  to  the 
spot  afterwards  called  Fort  Wayne. 

A pretty  little  painting  hangs  upon  the  wall 
just  under  this  picture  of  the  battle,  which 
shows  the  spot  where  it  occurred  and  the  mem- 
orable boulder. 

Mr.  Holloway’s  painting  on  the  north  wall 
portrays  the  4 ‘Treaty  at  Greenville,”  that  mo- 
mentous and  important  treaty  between  General 
Anthony  Wayne  and  the  Allied  Indian  Tribes, 
headed  by  Little  Turtle.  This  took  place  at 
Greenville,  Ohio,  in  the  Fall  of  1795,  after  the 
Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers,  General  Wayne  hav- 
ing gone  into  winter  quarters  in  Fort  Wayne 
before  resuming  his  return  east.  By  this  treaty 
valuable  grants  of  land  were  conceded  by  the 
Indians,  and  after  it,  the  permanent  settlement 
of  this  region  began  and  civilization  moved  for- 
ward apace. 

The  picture  shows  General  Wayne  seated  at 
the  right  with  his  officers,  and  the  famous  In- 
dian Chiefs  of  history  standing  or  seated  on 
the  ground  at  left,  with  that  famous  and  astute 
warrior,  Little  Turtle,  “the  white  man’s 
friend,”  occupying  the  central  place. 

A later  episode  in  the  history  of  Fort  Wayne 
is  commemorated  in  the  second  of  Mr.  Hollo- 
way’s paintings  over  the  door  on  the  east  wall, 
the  famous  ride  of  brave  William  Olliver,  Sep- 
tember, 1812  who  is  depicted  accompanied  by 
30 


his  four  loyal  Indian — one  of  whom  was  the  re- 
nowned half-breed  Logan — upon  the  perilous 
ride  from  General  Harrison’s  headquarters,  at 
Piqua,  Ohio,  through  the  enemy-infested  woods, 
bearing  to  the  besieged  garrison  at  Fort  Wayne, 
word  of  approaching  relief.  It  is  to  be  regret- 
ted that  there  are  no  copies  of  these  pictures 
extant  with  the  exception  of  the  very  inade- 
quate one  of  the  Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers  here 
given. 


Battle  of  Fallen  Timbers. 


The  handsome  bas-relief  panels,  the  work  of 
Messrs  Barth  & Staak,  encircling  this  room,  are 
of  especial  interest,  as  they  are,  in  many  in- 
stances portraits  of  men  who  were  instrumental 
in  establishing  Allen  County,  and  laying  a firm 
foundation  for  its  future  prosperity. 

From  left  to  right  around  the  room,  begin- 
ning at  the  southeast  corner,  we  see, 

No.  1.  Governor  William  Hendricks,  hand- 
ing to  Allen  Hamilton  his  credentials  as  first 
Sheriff  of  Allen  County,  April  2,  1824. 

No.  2.  Committee  with  General  John  Tipton 
pointing  to  portrait  of  Colonel  Allen,  and  nam- 
ing the  new  county  in  his  honor. 

No.  3.  Fort  Wayne  declared  the  County 
Seat.  Caleb  Lewis  and  Lot  Blumfield,  of 
Wayne  County,  Abiather  Hathaway  of  Fay- 
ette County,  AVilliam  Connor  of  Hamilton 
County  and  James  M.  Hay  of  Marion  County, 
appointed  by  Governor  to  select  the  County 
Seat.  This  they  did  at  the  house  of  Alexander 
Ewing,  Esq.,  May  4,  1824. 

31 


Naming  the  County  Seat. 


No.  4.  Meeting  of  first  Board  of  County 
Commissioners  of  Allen  County,  Indiana.  Wil- 
liam  Rockhill,  James  Wyman  and  Francis  Com- 
paret  were  the  Commissioners,  and  with  them 
met  Samuel  Hanna  and  Benjamin  Cushman, 
Associate  Judges,  and  Anthony  L.  Davis,  Clerk 
and  Recorder,  26th  of  May,  1824. 

No.  5.  Judge  Samuel  Hanna,  first  Judge  of 
Alien  County,  represented  as  “Protector  of  In- 
dustries. ’ ’ 


WEST  WALL. 

No.  1.  Iron  Industries — An  early  specialty 
of  Fort  Wayne. 

No.  2.  Seal  of  Indiana  over  Judge’s  seat. 

No.  3.  Transportation — Past  and  present. 

NORTH  WALL. 

No.  1.  Bust  of  Hon.  Hugh  McCulloch,  Allen 
County’s  distinguished  son,  at  one  time  Secre- 
tary of  the  United  States  Treasury.  He  was 
first  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  and  orig- 
inator of  that  office.  He  is  here  represented, 
partly  allegorically,  as  Finance,  with  Columbia 
presenting  him  the  United  States  Treasurer- 
ship,  and  Fortune  smiling  upon  him  with  gifts 
in  her  hand.  United  States  Treasury  Building 
shown  in  background. 


32 


Finance. 


Panels  in  the  alcove  on  this  side  represent 
the  canal  period  of  our  evolution. 

No.  L Old  methods  of  transportation,  by 
wagons,  etc.,  etc. 

No.  2.  Breaking  ground  for  the  stupendous 
undertaking  of  joining  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie 
with  the  Mississippi  River,  by  means  of  “the 
Wabash  and  Erie  Canal,”  Feb.  22,  1832.  Panel 
shows  Mr.  Jordan  Vegus,  Esq.,  ('anal  Commis- 
sioner turning  the  first  sod  as  he  said,  “T  am 
now  about  to  commence  the  Wabash  and  Erie 
('anal  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
State  of  Indiana.”  Charles  W.  Ewing  was  the 
orator  of  the  day. 

No.  3.  Completion  of  canal,  1843.  General 
Lewis  Cass  was  orator  on  this  occasion. 

No.  4.  Shows  the  new  means  of  transporta- 
tion by  boats,  a great  step  taken  in  the  forward 
movement  of  civilization.  The  first  boat  to  pass 
Fort  Wayne  was  the  “Indiana,”  ('apt.  Asa 
Fairfield,  and  plied  between  Fort  Wayne  and 
Logansport. 

Panel  on  north  wall  between  the  alcove  and 
east  wall,  commemorates  the  name  and  person 
of  Allen  Hamilton.  The  County  in  the  guise  of 
33 


a noble  female  figure,  is  giving  to  him  the  Star 
of  Office  in  recognition  of  his  worth  and  serv- 
ice. 

The  clock  opposite  the  Judge’s  seat  is  framed 
with  allegorical  figures,  Night  and  Morning,  or 
the  ‘ 4 Passing  of  Time/’  while  the  panel  to  the 
left  of  it  is  Agriculture — and  the  right.  Arts 
and  Sciences. 

This  room  is  used  at  present  bv  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution  for  the  safe- 
guarding of  many  articles  of  especial  historic 
interest,  which  will  well  repay  a visit  of  in- 
spection, treasures  of  “ye  olden  time,”  bits  of 
old  china  and  glass,  furniture  and  brasses 
hoarded  with  pious  care  by  descendants  of  the 
pioneers,  most  of  them  from  famous  old  homes 
which  serve  to  make  Allen  County  a delight  to 
the  student  of  early  American  life. 

Among  the  many  rare  portraits  in  the  col- 
lection is  one  in  oil  of  Colonel  John  Allen,  for 
whom  our  County  is  named,  which  was  bought 
by  the  County  Commissioners  from  a relative  of 
Colonel  Allen  living  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  and 
is  known  to  be  authentic.  The  artist,  Mr.  Mat- 
thew Jouett,  of  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  was  cele- 
brated as  such  in  his  generation,  and  deserved- 
ly so,  judging  by  this  fine  example  of  his  abil- 
ity. It  was  from  this  portrait  that  the  bust  of 
Allen,  which  adorns  the  south  front  of  the 
Court  House  was  modeled. 

COURT  ROOM  NO.  2. 

Crossing  the  rotunda  to  the  north  we  come 
into  another  Extra  Court  Room,  or  “Court 
Room  Number  Two.” 

The  walls  of  this  room,  to  the  ornamental 
cornice,  are  of  dark  Tennessee  and  Mexican 
Onyx  Scagliola  embellished  further  with  cream 
34 


white  plaster  panels,  in  bas-relief,  the  work  of 
Mr.  M.  J.  Doner,  of  Chicago.  These  illustrate 
frontier  life  in  and  around  Port  Wayne,  par- 
ticularly as  regards  the  aborigines. 

Beginning  at  the  left  corner  of  the  west  wall 
and  proceeding  to  the  right  are  panels  repre- 
senting them  during  war  periods. 

WEST  WALL. 

No.  1.  Indians  in  council,  seemingly  decid- 
ing for  war. 

No.  2.  White  captives. 

No.  3.  Torture  of  prisoners. 

SOUTH  WALL. 

No.  1.  Arrival  of  General  Wayne’s  army. 

No.  2.  Battle  between  Indians  and  whites. 


No.  3.  Burial  of  Little  Turtle.  He  was  ac- 
corded by  the  Commandant  of  the  Port  full 
military  honors,  as  befitted  this  brave,  honor- 
able, if  uncivilized  man. 

No.  4.  General  Wayne’s  headquarters. 

No.  5.  Port  Wayne. 

EAST  WALL. 

The  three  panels  here  express  the  pastimes 
of  the  savages  during  times  of  peace. 

35 


No. 

1. 

Indians  shooting  arrows  at  target. 

No. 

2. 

Indians  in  canoes. 

No. 

3. 

Indians  dancing. 

NORTH  WALL. 

No. 

1. 

Little  Turtle  advocating  peace. 

No. 

2. 

Smoking  Calumet,  or  Peace  Pipe. 

No. 

3. 

The  trading  post  of  the  frontier. 

No. 

4. 

Arrival  of  first  white  woman.  In- 

dians  welcome  her. 

No. 

5. 

Ceremony  of  washing  her  feet  in  to- 

ken  of  respect  and  honor. 


CIRCUIT  COURT  ROOM. 

On  the  Judiciary  Floor,  at  extreme  north  end 
of  building,  is  the  handsomely  appointed  Cir- 
cuit Court  Room,  the  harmonious  color  scheme, 
chiefly  cream  and  green,  found  in  Light  Sienna, 
Massachusetts'  Green  and  Red  African  Scag- 
liolia.  The  Judge's  stand  is  upon  the  west  side ; 
circling  the  room,  above  the  cornice,  to  a depth 
of  three  feet  is  a beautiful  mural  painting,  the 
work  of  the  late  Mr.  Carl  Gutherz,  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  It  is  deemed  especially  fortunate 
that  we  have  been  able  to  secure  a description 
of  this  work  of  art  in  the  words  of  the  distin- 
guished artist  himself.  This  was  first  printed 
August  20,  1909,  by  the  "Daily  News,"  and  is 
given  here  by  courtesy  of  the  News  Company: 

* * * * 

"Among  the  most  beautiful  works  of  art  in 
the  structure  is  the  frieze  in  the  Circuit  court 
room,  which  was  done  by  the  late  Carl  Gutherz, 
a famous  artist  who  did  most  of  the  mural  dec- 
orations in  the  congressional  library  at  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Gutherz  painted  the  pictures 
36 


which  adorn  the  Circuit  court  room  at  his 
studio  in  Washington,  and  they  were  sent  here 
after  completion. 

The  description  of  the  paintings  given  by  the 
News  was  written  by  Mr.  Gutherz  himself  in 
1901.  He  died  several  years  ago.  Mr.  Gutherz’ 
description  is  as  follows : 

FOUNDERS  OF  LAWS. 

“Supposing  the  spectator  seated  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  room,  facing  the  judge’s  seat: 
You  will  see  to  right  and  left  side,  over  the 
rostrum,  the  founders  of  our  laws,  Moses  on  one 
side,  Justinian  on  the  other.  Justinian  and 
Moses  are  instructing  and  giving  the  edicts  of 
law  to  their  people  for  distribution.  Back  of 
Moses  rises  the  temple  of  Solomon,  while  in  the 
distance,  near  Justinian,  the  Christian  architec- 
ture is  indicated  by  the  dome  of  St.  Sophia. 

The  oak  branch  forming  part  of  the  decora- 
tion over  the  pediment  represents  strength  and 
government  and  the  figures  most  prominent  are 
the  representatives  of  the  law,  or  the  lawyers 
of  #the  period,  who  were  in  those  days  closely 
related  to  the  ecclesiastical,  and  which  accounts 
for  the  figure  of  a monk  on  one  side  and  that 
of  a Hebrew  priest  on  the  other. 

In  turning  completely  around  you  face  the 
end  of  the  room  and  the  wall  facing  the  judge’s 
seat.  The  pictures  represented  here  are  in- 
tended to  convey  the  idea  that  the  inspiration 
of  all  justice  is  of  divine  conception.  On  one 
side  the  message  is  handed  down  from  above, 
while  on  the  other  side  the  actions  of  the  court 
are  recorded  on  the  divine  tablet  to  be  taken 
to  the  supreme  judgment  of  all  wisdom.  “Strive 
for  justice,”  is  the  solemn  warning  held  up  by 
the  angel,  while  cherubs  pluck  from  laurel 
37 


branches  the  wreath  and  tauntingly  hold  up  the 
golden  trophy  for  the  victor  in  its  cause;  on  the 
other  side  the  cherub  is  employed  in  fixing  the 
seal  upon  the  judicial  parchment,  while  others 
are  scrutinizing  the  documents. 

Facing  the  judge's  seat  these  pictures  are  by 
their  positions  especially  associated  with  it  and 
the  acts  which  are  considered  by  them  and 
passed  upon  by  the  court. 

The  vertical  stripes  in  the  corners  and  which 
are  also  separating  the  pictures  on  the  side 
wall,  framing  them  in  as  it  were,  and  also  tak- 
ing the  place  of  pilasters,  thereby  giving  a fea- 
ture of  strength  and  support  between  the  wall 
and  ceiling  and  so  painted  in  color  and  line  as 
to  stand  prominently  forward  of  the  picture, 
represent  in  their  turn  wisdom,  strength,  im- 
partiality and  the  protection  of  the  United 
States  government  in  symbolic  ornament. 

JUSTICE  PROMINENT. 

In  facing  the  side  wall  of  the  room  the  cen- 
tral group  most  prominent  is  “Justice,”  a 
figure  blindfolded  by  the  very  act  of  holding  in 
front  of  her  with  uplifted  hands  the  scroll  upon 
which  the  word  “justice”  is  inscribed  in  golden 
letters.  She  is  fearlessly  walking  into  our  pres- 
ence, protected  on  either  side  by  angels  in  male 
attire,  the  angel  to  the  right  with  drawn  blade 
and  expressing  disdain  or  contempt,  hurling 
back  the  forces  of  disorder  and  crime  (figures 
more  beast  than  human),  representing  anarchy 
and  the  malaria  of  injustice  and  shielding  the 
figure  of  justice.  The  angel  to  the  left  of  jus- 
tice is  extending  his  open  hand,  greeting  the 
law-abiding  people,  the  humble  shepherd  is 
gazing  upon  him  with  awe  and  his  flock  are  in- 
spired with  temerity  by  the  holy  presence,  while 
*38 


the  bells  seem  ringing  restful  cadence  from  dis- 
tant church  towers ; the  smoke  from  a near  by 
hamlet  rises  serenely  to  the  sky,  a beacon  to 
the  order-loving  toilers,  and  by  the  wayside 
childhood  and  matron  stop  and  rest  to  gather 
knowledge  from  book  and  flower — in  fact,  all 
the  scene  is  intended  to  point  to  peacefulness 
and  order. 

The  pictures  joining  the  side  to  the  end  wall 
and  flanking  the  central  group*  “Justice,”  are 
in  their  turn  intended  to  portray  ideas  which 
connects  them  also  to  the  end  wall,  thereby 
forming  one  continued  whole  in  numerous 
parts.  In  this  way  the  picture  next  to  Moses 
represents  apprehension.  Vigorous  manhood 
has  caught  the  offender  and  is  bringing  the 
creature  before  the  judge,  whose  attitude  in- 
dicates his  power  to  punish  the  breaker  of 
the  law.  On  the  opposite  end  and  joining  the 
“Divine  Inspiration”  is  “The  Jury,”  which  is 
here  represented  about  the  era  A.  D.  500. 

The  lawyer  of  that  period  is  defending  some 
case  before  the  jury  composed  of  people  of  dif- 
ferent nationalities  and  which  might  have  taken 
place  in  Rome,  Alexandria  or  Constantinople 
about  that  time.  The  lawyer  is  a Roman, 
marked  by  insignia  of  his  office — his  prominent 
listener,  evidently  some  high  personage  in  dis- 
guise, his  dress  is  covered  by  a robe  which  veils 
his  personal  identity. 

COURT  AS  MEDIATOR. 

In  turning  to  the  wall  opposite  you  will  find 
a like  diversion ; and  here  also,  the  central  panel 
is  subdivided  into  three  separate  groups  and 
which  represent  as  a whole  “Arbitration,”  the 
court  being,  in  fact,  the  mediator  of  two  oppos- 
ing parties,  both  claiming  justification. 

39 


The  central  group  represents  the  home,  the 
sacred  hearth  forms  the  background  of  the 
throne  for  the  guardian  angel.  Kneeling  in 
prayerful  attitude  appealing  for  protection  are 
children  approaching  from  opposite  sides  and 
the  divine  spirit  of  love  and  home  is  gently 
uniting  them  with  her  own  precious  fingers  and 
shielding  them  with  her  powerful  wings  from 
discordant  passion  and  destruction,  represented 
on  either  side  by  the  organized  mob,  which  is 
stayed  in  the  destructive  work  by  the  angel 
spirits  of  home  and  peace.  Their  gestures  and 
attitude  bid  them  to  think  and  reform  to  more 
orderly  methods  ere  approaching  the  sacred 
precincts  of  the  hearthstone. 

Flanking  the  central  group  like  the  wall  op- 
posite— in  fact,  a complement  of  the  pictures 
of  the  “Jury”  and  “Apprehension,"  are  pic- 
tures indicating  the  “Protection  of  the  Court.” 
The  aged  widow  and  orphan  are  shielded  by 
the*  staff  of  order  against  those  that  would  take 
advantage  of  their  enfeebled  state.  The  other 
end  of  the  wall  and  that  which  joins  the  “Angel 
of  the  Record’’  represents  “Charity"  and  who. 
seated  between  the  two  figures  representing 
“ Power  of  Law,"  is  urging  her  cause  and  by  so 
doing  forms  the  very  apex  of  the  sides  of 
“Justice." 

By  the  arrangement  of  the  pictures  described 
above  there  is  a continued  theme  from  picture 
to  picture,  and  by  the  effect  of  color  and 
grouping  there  is  preserved  a symmetrical  ex- 
pression in  the  general  appearance  of  the  room, 
attaching  the  ceiling  to  the  wall  and  giving 
light  into  the  corner  which  would  otherwise  be 
oppressive  with  shade.” 

Two  beautiful  pediments  further  enrich  this 
room,  subjects  being  the  “Four  Seasons.”  On 
40 


the  east  wall  on  left  of  the  clock-cartouche 
the  attributes  of  Spring,  are  expressed  by  a 
young  maiden  holding  budding  branches,  cu- 
pids  scattering  roses,  and  doves  hovering  near, 
symbols  of  youthfulness,  innocence  and  love. 
Summer,  upon  the  right,  as  a maturer  woman, 
holds  a stalk  of  corn,  signifying  maturity  and 
fruitfulness ; children  carry  sheaves  of  wheat, 
while  rabbits,  their  summer  companions,  gam- 
bol about  them. 

The  western  pediment  represents  allegori- 
cally, Autumn  and  Winter. 


Autumn,  the  grown  man,  the  hunter,  full  of 
life  and  vigor,  his  occupation  as  provider  sug- 
gested by  the  dead  pheasants  at  extreme  left ; 
w^hile  Cupid  extracts  the  juice  of  the  grape, 
both  together  representing  the  necessary 
cruelty  of  life  associated,  however,  with  its 
joys.  Winter,  is  the  old  man,  completing  his 
circle  of  seasons  of  life,  its  coldness  indicated 
by  the  maiden  warming  her  hands  by  the  fire. 
All  the  playmates  are  fled  save  the  crows,  which 
Love  is  feeding. 

Beneath  this  thoughtfully  conceived  pedi- 
ment, are  three  panels  on  either  side  of  the 
Judge’s  stand,  done  in  bold  relief  that  are  most 
beautiful,  illustrating  the  action  and  attributes 
of  the  law. 

Upon  the  extreme  left  is  expressed : — 

No.  1.  Its  Restraint. 

No.  2.  Wisdom  and  Justice. 

41 


Xo.  3.  Truth  and  Strength. 

No.  4.  Power  to  relieve  and  set  free. 

SOUTH  WALL. 

On  this  wall  War  is  represented  in  its  dif- 
ferent aspects.  At  the  extreme  left: 


Xo.  1.  The  Call  to  War:  A messenger  on 
horseback  gallops  with  flag  and  trumpet  to 
sound  the  call.  Upon  the  left  a father  inter- 
rupts his  son  at  work  to  give  him  a sword, 
while  Columbia  on  the  right  points,  urging  the 
soldier  on  to  conquer,  to  battle  for  the  right. 

Xo.  2.  Marching  to  War.  Soldiers  bid 
farewell  to  loved  ones  that  they  may  march 
towards  the  Sun  of  Liberty. 

Xo.  3.  War,  the  terrible:  Represented  by 
Goddess  of  War  accompanied  by  Death,  riding 
side  by  side,  over  battle  fields  amidst  groups 
of  fighting  men,  the  dead  on  either  side.  A su- 
perbly spirited  and  striking  group. 

Xo.  4.  Victory,  or  Triumph.  A youth,  as 
the  Power  of  Right  overthrows  the  cruel 
Dragon  of  Wrong.  Young  men  and  maidens 
proclaim  triumph  and  crown  the  victor. 

No.  5.  The  Return  from  War.  Mothers  and 
42 


children  on  the  left,  welcome  the  soldier  father 
home,  while  upon  the  right,  a widow  and  child 
receive  the  sword  and  riderless  horse  of  the 
husband  and  father  slain  in  battle. 

NORTH  WALL- 

These  five  panels  showing  the  lovely  accom- 
paniments of  Peace,  are  appropriately  placed 
opposite  the  War  panels.  Prom  left  to  right: 

No.  1.  Home  Industries,  which  flourish  only 
in  peaceful  times. 

No.  2.  Charity;  help  to  the  aged,  or  sick. 

No.  3.  Goddess  of  Peace  welcomed  by  all. 

No.  4.  Hospitality;  receiving  the  stranger — 
serving  the  guest. 

No.  5.  Peaceful  Arts  and  occupations. 

The  alcove  which  forms  the  east  side  of  the 
room,  has  at  its  left  side  a panel,  Industry, 
and  at  its  right,  Science.  The  interior  is  fin- 
ished with  panels  illustrating  the  peaceful  pur- 
suits or  pastimes,  the  accompaniments  of  pros- 
perous and  careful  toil.  Inside  the  alcove  at 
left  we  see: 

No.  1.  Hunting. 

No.  2.  Horticulture. 

No.  3.  Pishing. 

No.  4.  Agriculture. 

No.  5.  Pioneer  Life. 

All  these  wonderfully  fine  groups  are  the 
product  of  the  genius  of  Messrs.  Barth  & Staak, 
and  are,  for  vigor  of  expression,  wealth  of  de- 
tail and  beauty  of  execution,  beyond  criticism. 

DOME  AND  BALCONY. 

A stairway  north  of  elevator  on  Judiciary 
Floor  leads  to  the  balcony  on  the  outside  of 
43 


dome  from  whence  a comprehensive  view  of  the 
city  may  be  obtained. 

CLOCKS. 

A fine  pneumatic  clock  system  has  been  in- 
stalled by  means  of  which  the  thirty-two  clocks 
inside  the  building,  as  well  as  the  four  in  the 
dome,  are  regulated  by  the  master-clock  stand- 
ing in  the  vestibule  of  west  entrance,  ground 
floor. 

ARTESIAN  WELL. 

On  the  north  sidewalk  there  is  a remarkably 
fine  Artesian  well  300  feet  deep  which  supplies 
the  drinking  fountain  and  is  used  for  all  pur- 
poses where  water,  or  water  power,  is  needed 
about  the  building.  This  well  is  the  second 
deepest  flowing  well  in  the  United  States,  and 
was,  when  sunk,  the  very  deepest.  The  water 
is  mineral  and  absolutely  pure. 

On  the  north  and  northeast  sidewalks  are 
shelter  entrances  leading  to  the  basement  and 
to  public  comfort  room,  lavatories,  etc.,  etc.,  for 
both  men  and  women. 

THE  TUNNEL. 

A tunnel  extends  from  basement,  northwest, 
corner,  under  Calhoun  street  and,  running 
north,  connects  the  Court  House  with  Power 
Station  north  of  the  Jail.  It  carries  all  pipes 
and  wires  necessary  for  heating  and  lighting 
but  is  not  open  to  the  public  owing  to  its  small 
size.  It  is  reached  by  man-holes  along  the 
route,  every  part  being  easily  accessible  for  re- 
pairs, etc. 

COUNTY  SEAL. 

The  first  seal  used  by  the  first  Board  of  Com- 
44 


missioners  was  in  1841  and  was  an  old  English 
seal  which  represented  Britannia  seated  on  a 
shield,  grasping  a trident  of  Neptune,  with  the 
words/ ‘Britannia, Rex.  Fid  Dep.”  This  was  only 
used  until  such  time  as  another  could  be  de- 
signed and  procured. 

On  September  9,  1841,  an  order  was  issued 
for  a seal  for  the  new  County  of  Allen,  to  bear 
“a  sheaf  of  wheat  in  an  upright  position  with  a 
sickle  therein;  and,  in  the  background,  a field 
of  corn  with  a reaper  at  work,  and,  in  a circle 
surrounding  said  device,  the  following  words: 
‘Commissioners  of  Allen  County,  I.  A.  Seal., 
The  word  Seal  to  be  in  M.  and  the  Sheaf  of 
Wheat.” 

This  is  the  seal  now  in  use. 


CONCLUSION. 

Thanks  are  gratefully  extended  to  the  author 
of Reminiscences  of  Old  Fort  Wayne,”  the 
architect  and  artists,  the  News  Company,  the 
ex-Commissioners  and  many  others,  and  espe- 
cially to  the  present  Board  of  Commissioners — 
Mr.  John  B.  Wyss,  Mr.  James  D.  Butt,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam F.  Franke  with  the  attorney  to  the  Board, 
Mr.  Edward  G.  Hoffman,  all  of  whom  have  so 
generously  and  graciously  aided  us,  and  whose 
appreciation  of  our  efforts  has  made  it  possible 
to  present  to  the  public  this  brief  history  and 
description  of  the  splendid  Court  House  of 
Allen  County,  Indiana. 


45 


STATISTICS 


Plans  accepted 1895 

Contract  awarded May  26,  1897 

Corner-stone  laid November  17,  1897 

Building  partially  occupied  . . .December,  1900 

Building  dedicated September  23,  1902 

Total  cost  of  building  and  furnish- 
ings   $817,553.59 

Style  of  architecture  Renaissance 

Materials jBluTer  Bedford  Stone 

( V ermont  Granite 

Construction  Fireproof 

Length  of  building  270  feet 

Width  of  building 134  feet 

Height  to  main  cornice  57  feet 

Height  to  clear  story  cornice 76  feet 

Height  from  street  to  top  of  statue  . . . 225  feet 

Height  of  statue 13  feet,  8 inches 

Diameter  of  clock  dials 13  feet 


CONTRACTORS 

Brentwood  S.  Tolan  Architect 

James  Stewart  & Company,  of  St.  Louis> 

General  Contractors 

A.  Hattersley  & Sons., 

Plumbing,  electric  wiring,  etc. 

Fort  Wayne  Electric  Corporation, 

Engines  and  dynamos 

Wm.  Moellering  & Sons, Power  House 

Louis  J.  Schwartzkopf Tunnel 

Art  Metal  Company Steel  Furniture 

H.  H.  Andrews  Company Wood  Furniture 

C.  C.  Schlatter  & Co., Hardware  and  glass 

Diebold  Lock  & Safe  Company, 

» Treasurer’s  vault 


46 


Pheiffer  & Schlatter  . .Plate  glass  and  hardware 

Luminous  Prism  Company Art  glass 

W.  H.  Andrews Interior  decorations 

F.  M.  Smith  & Company Hardware 

Wolf  & Dessauer Shades  and  matting 

Winslow  Brothers  Co Bronze  tablets,  etc. 

Rhinesmith  & Simonson, 

Molding  and  woodwork 

Anton  Rieg Sewer  for  tunnel 

Lennox  & Halderman  . . .Plastering  and  stucco 
Peoria  Stone  & Marble  Company 

Extra  marble  and  tile 

Brown  Ketchum  & Company, 

Law  Library  stair  and  iron  in  dome 

Tuttle  & Bailey  Mfg.  Co Ventilating  plates 

Empire  Fire  Roofing  Co Roof  tiles 

F.  Miller  & Sons Electric  fans 

John  II.  Welch.  . . .Copper  box  for  corner-stone 

INSPECTORS 

L.  B.  Larimore, 

J.  H.  Brannan, 

II.  W.  Jensen, 

Geo.  Jacoby, 

Hoisted  & McNaughton, 

Pierce  & Richardson, 

Lennox  & Halderman 


47 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBAN  A 


3 0112  108183846 


Prepared  by  the  staff  of  the 
Public  Library  of  Fort  Wayne  and  Allen  County 
February,  1953 


